DogMatchUp

Maltese vs Papillon

Comprehensive comparison of two popular breeds to help you decide which one might be the better fit for your lifestyle and preferences.

Maltese
Toy

Maltese

Toy Group

Papillon
Toy

Papillon

Toy Group

Quick Comparison

Size

Maltese Toy
Papillon Toy

Lifespan

Maltese 12-15 years
Papillon 14-16 years

Exercise Needs

Maltese 3/5
Papillon 3/5

Grooming Needs

Maltese 5/5
Papillon 3/5

Breed Overview

Maltese Overview

Maltese dogs captivate with their flowing white silk coats and elegant bearing. Standing 7-9 inches tall with a compact body, these graceful companions feature dark expressive eyes, a black button nose, and a gently rounded skull. Their distinctive coat falls straight to the ground, creating a regal appearance that belies their playful, affectionate nature. Gentle yet spirited, they combine aristocratic refinement with a charming, vivacious personality.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Size: Toy
Temperament: Gentle, Playful, Charming

Papillon Overview

Graceful and elegant, Papillons are distinguished by their butterfly-like ears adorned with flowing fringed hair. Their refined build combines delicate features with a hardy constitution, sporting a silky coat in white with patches of various colors. Alert and lively, these intelligent companions carry themselves with remarkable poise while maintaining a spirited, friendly demeanor.

Origin: France
Life Expectancy: 14-16 years
Size: Toy
Temperament: Friendly, Alert, Happy

Key Differences

  • Energy Level: Malteses are less energetic than Papillons, requiring less daily exercise.
  • Grooming: Malteses require more grooming attention compared to Papillons.
  • Temperament: While both breeds are intelligent, Malteses tend to be more reserved with strangers than Papillons.
  • Trainability: Malteses may be slightly easier to train due to their Maltese's higher intelligence ranking.
  • Living Situation: Malteses adapt better to apartment living, while Papillons typically prefer homes with more space.

Detailed Comparison

Below is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the Maltese and Papillon, covering everything from physical characteristics to care requirements.

Basic Information

Feature Maltese Papillon
Size Toy Toy
Life Expectancy 12-15 years 14-16 years
Country of Origin Unknown France
Breed Group Toy Group Toy Group

Physical Characteristics

Feature Maltese Papillon
Height
7-9 inches
18-23 cm
8-11 inches
20-28 cm
Weight
7-7 lbs
3-3 kg
5-10 lbs
2-5 kg
Coat Type Short, dense coat Short, dense coat
Coat Length Short Short
Shedding Infrequent Seasonal

Temperament & Behavior

Feature Maltese Papillon
Temperament Gentle, Playful, Charming Friendly, Alert, Happy
Energy Level
3/5
3/5
Intelligence
2/5
1/5

Compatibility

Feature Maltese Papillon
Good with Children
3/5
5/5
Good with Other Dogs
3/5
3/5
Apartment Friendly
4/5
3/5

Temperament & Personality

Maltese Temperament

Gentle Playful Charming

The Maltese is known for being gentle, playful, charming, making them better suited for homes without young children. Their moderate intelligence means they can be trained with consistent effort. They tend to be reserved with strangers, which makes them good watchdogs. Their moderate energy level makes them adaptable to different lifestyles, though they still need regular exercise.

Papillon Temperament

Friendly Alert Happy

The Papillon is characterized by being friendly, alert, happy, which makes them great companions for families. With their moderate intelligence, they can learn with consistent training methods. They generally welcome strangers, making them sociable companions rather than protective guardians. Their moderate energy level makes them versatile companions that can adapt to your activity level, though regular exercise is still important.

Temperament Comparison

When comparing the Maltese and Papillon, there are notable differences in their temperaments that potential owners should consider:

Sociability with Strangers

Maltese
3/5
Papillon
5/5

Good with Children

Maltese
3/5
Papillon
5/5

Side-by-Side Trait Ratings

GOOD WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Maltese

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 3/5

Papillon

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 5/5

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Maltese

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 3/5

Papillon

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 3/5

ENERGY LEVEL

Maltese

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Papillon

Low High

Rating: 3/5

TRAINABILITY / INTELLIGENCE

Maltese

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 2/5

Papillon

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 1/5

GROOMING NEEDS

Maltese

Low High

Rating: 5/5

Papillon

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Care & Maintenance

Maltese Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

3/5

Malteses require moderate daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This can include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.

Grooming Requirements

5/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Malteses require frequent grooming. This includes brushing several times per week to prevent matting and reduce shedding. Professional grooming every 4-8 weeks is recommended.

Papillon Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

3/5

Papillons need regular daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This should include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.

Grooming Requirements

3/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Papillons require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to maintain coat health and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be helpful.

Health & Lifespan

Maltese Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 12-15 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Patellar Luxation
  • White Dog Shaker Syndrome
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Portosystemic Shunt
  • Hypoglycemia

Papillon Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 14-16 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Dental Issues
  • Heart Murmurs
  • Von Willebrand's Disease

Pros & Cons

Maltese

Pros

  • Minimal shedding
  • Excellent companion dog
  • Good for apartments
  • Adaptable to different lifestyles

Cons

  • High grooming needs
  • Can be yappy
  • Prone to dental issues
  • Delicate physical structure

Papillon

Pros

  • Highly intelligent
  • Easy to train
  • Good with families
  • Adaptable
  • Low maintenance

Cons

  • Can be yappy
  • Delicate build
  • May be stubborn
  • Separation anxiety prone

Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?

Now that you've compared the Maltese and Papillon, explore more breeds or use our breed matching tool to find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.